buying a used car......

[Semidevil]

so w/ my tight budget, I will need to buy a car( a used one in particular). Do you guys have any reccommendations on buying used cars?

the only tip I can think of is "test drive" it to make sure it actually runs. but what else do I need to pay attention to?

 

[Mill]

How old are you?

 

[Semidevil]

20

 

[RossMAN]

How much is your budget, we need a number?

What are your 2 local largest newspapers?

Do you know someone who is a good honest mechanic?

 

[thedarkwolf]

If you don't know what your doing pay the $50 or so to have a mechanic look it over.

 

[Jeff7181]

Don't buy a car sold "as is"
Check the history of the car on www.carfax.com
Use EVERYTHING the car has, except maybe the jack =)
If you don't know of a mechanic you can take it to to have it looked over, here's a short list of things to check...

1.) Transmission fluid, especially if it's an automatic, smell it after you drive it... if it smells like toast, don't buy it
2.) Engine oil, also smell it after you drive it, and feel it... wipe the oil off the dipstick with your fingers... you shouldn't feel ANYTHING gritty
3.) Air filter, check for oil in the filter after you've driven it
4.) Check the coolant BEFORE you drive it... should be a bright green color, or bright red, depending what type it is... but it should never look dirty or dingy
5.) After you drive it, look around in the engine bay for oil drips, coolant leaks, etc.
6.) Check the brake fluid... if the level is low, it probably needs a brake job

Things to do when test driving...

1.) For an auto tranny, pay attention to how it shifts... if it's a VERY soft shift, and not a luxury car, it the clutches in the tranny might be worn and in need of replacement
2.) Accelerate like a bat out of hell... good place to do it is the on ramp of an expressway so you can get through at least the first 3 gears before you have to lift to avoid breaking the law... when you lift, lift off completely and suddenly, look in the rear view mirror for smoke... blue smoke = internal oil leak... black smoke = improper air/fuel mixing... white smoke = coolant leak
3.) Practice panic stops... you want to be sure the brakes can handle it if you ever HAVE to do this... if the car is ABS equipped and the tires lock up every time you try a panic stop, ABS isn't working properly (this will also familiarize you with the "feel" of the ABS system, in some cars, the pedal vibrates as the ABS solenoids pulse the brakes, and some people get scared and let off on the brakes, which is bad)
4.) Corner while braking heavily, corner while accelerating heavily... in both directions... listen for clunks, or grinding etc... clunks are probably suspension related, worn parts... grinding while turning is probably bad wheel bearings


*EDIT* If you suspect the salesman is lying about something... a very good way to spot collision damage is to look for overspray in the engine compartments, door jams, trunk, and wheel wells... this will tell you that portion of the car has been repainted... also... thumping on the body panels with your knuckle is a good way to find body filler, you'll hear a difference in the sound... you can also check that with a magnet.

 

[erikiksaz]

1.) Transmission fluid, especially if it's an automatic, smell it after you drive it... if it smells like toast, don't buy it

Hrmm, i have a manual car, and i've noticed that sometimes i do smell something after gunning the engine around. Is that normal or also problematic. It's a 91 crx, so it's a tad old! I don't smell anything during normal driving though.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Semidevil
20

Do you have anyone that knows cars that could go with you? All the online advice in the world is not going to work. You need someone who knows enough about cars to prevent you from wasting your time and money.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: erikiksaz

1.) Transmission fluid, especially if it's an automatic, smell it after you drive it... if it smells like toast, don't buy it

Hrmm, i have a manual car, and i've noticed that sometimes i do smell something after gunning the engine around. Is that normal or also problematic. It's a 91 crx, so it's a tad old! I don't smell anything during normal driving though.

Normally manual transmissions make noise when they're about to fail... cause they don't really have "soft" parts like the clutches in an automatic. But, keep in mind, no pollutants should ever get inside a manual transmission... so the lube in it should smell almost exactly like it smells when the fluid is new... unless it uses gear lube, in which case if it's old, it might smell like ass... literally.

 

[IamElectro]

Make sure it is not a recontructed vehicle some states list this as a R Title. Usually newer cars on used lots that are several thousand below book value is a good sign.
Not nessecarily a bad car it just makes it a hassle to resell and a dealer will not take it on trade.

 

[PushHands]

wow, what a list Jeff7181. Sounds like good practical advise. I better start learning a little about cars 🙂

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: PushHands
wow, what a list Jeff7181. Sounds like good practical advise. I better start learning a little about cars 🙂

That's the short list =)
*EDIT* but good enough for the average buyer... and pretty much anybody can do these checks... don't be afraid to beat on the car even if the salesman insists that he comes along for the ride... just don't be doing neutral drops and whatever

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: erikiksaz

1.) Transmission fluid, especially if it's an automatic, smell it after you drive it... if it smells like toast, don't buy it

Hrmm, i have a manual car, and i've noticed that sometimes i do smell something after gunning the engine around. Is that normal or also problematic. It's a 91 crx, so it's a tad old! I don't smell anything during normal driving though.

That?s probably your brakes, OR, very likely, your clutch, if you?re not very good at driving without slipping it much on takeoff and shifting.

So, I guess it would be a "normal problem" to have if you're driving like a meathead.

 

[khlee]

thanks jeff u da man!